Near real-time applications for NSCAT ocean wind measurements

This paper describes the capture of NASA Scatterometer (NSCAT) data on an orbit by orbit basis and the data processing system to retrieve global ocean surface wind vectors in near real-time. The utilization of these measurements in operational marine forecasting by NOAA\u27s National Weather Service is discussed, and benefits to several categories of marine operations are presented. Also, a description of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory\u27s NSCAT Value Added Product activity - an effort to provide near real-time wind images to the public and commercial users - is described